The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has called on teachers to be patient while the union continues talks with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to include classroom teachers in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
While attending the burial of former Bungoma Central KNUT Executive Secretary Fred Sichangi at Sikusi in Kabuchai constituency, on Saturday, the KNUT National Treasurer Kennedy Nyamwanda implored the Commission, the ministries of Education and Labor to ensure that teachers’ welfare is considered.
Nyamwanda said that the previous agreement signed by the Commission and KNUT did not favour classroom teachers but this time classroom teachers will be favoured in a deal that is set to be signed by the Commission and the main teachers’ unions.
“I am not happy as a KNUT official how teachers are being treated. They are working in an unfair environment, and that is why I have taken an initiative as their leader to make noise to ensure their grievances are addressed.
“I want all teachers to rally behind KNUT to ensure that every teacher is aware of what is going on and ensure that their demands are sorted,” said the KNUT National Treasurer.
According to him, teachers should remain calm and support the union’s efforts in ‘fighting’ for their national interests.
KNUT’s Western Region Chairman John Wesonga blamed the elected leaders for not pushing for the interests of the ordinary Kenyan while in Parliament.
He also blamed the politicians for making promises to support education during campaigns only to disappear after the elections.
Kenya Kwanza’s Principal Moses Wetangula who was also present at the burial stated that if he is elected, he will support education to ensure that teachers work in a safe environment.
He claimed that while in parliament and as a senator, he has been supporting teachers’ welfare.
According to a KNUT official, the previous CBA agreed between TSC and KNUT did not favour classroom teachers.
Western’s KNUT chairperson blamed some politicians for instilling false hope in the education sector only to disappear once elected.